New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-25
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.


TO the Edftor Of The Tribun,.
SIR: ask the courtesy OF a small space to explain
som, details Of the plan for international copyright
published In the November number Of - Tho Nine
tecnth Century and referred to in your paper Of No
vcmber 20 The issue IS between royalty and
monopoly system for English authors hero. and con
vcrscly for American authors In England 1t would
be easy to quote a list OF honorcd American names
that fully indorsc this system Of open ROYALTY with
secured compensation TO authors, as coniascd with
the monopoly system of rcrr1nting but this would be
aside from the question Itself And furthermore,
there are fifty million people who are to he considered
as we'll those having a pecunlary interest In the
multi pile alton Of the price OF English reprints.
1t will be perceived tha; this plan OF royalty, If
adopted would not throw the door open for very
cheap and nasty reprints Of an authors works. SINCE
that door f. wide open now; but would simply So ad
Just that door to yield like the turnstles Of
hbitlon a fixed and certain toll for every book that
passes through II. II Is probable that nearly
many publishers will venture TO bring out a
good edition of work with a chance Of many rivals to
unlcScu him with inferior issues There will be
added a strict possibility for correct reproduction,
along with a prevention Of monopoly prices while by
reason Of the Immense Increase OF sales through low
prices. tho English American author Will receive
much compensation a. he would 10y the monopoly
TEN. dozen competing vendors Will do better than
one Tor both aifhor and reader.
II the American publisher. " who IS making almost
nothing from his cheap REPRINTS yet goes incrcas
inC the business In the interest of millions ~ readers
who unable To purchase high priced books. We
commend his philanthropy. Probably 40 similar
amount Of money could be uschilly bestowed on
the great public. That increase IN the price 10y
monopoly Of that class Of works English novels
would 10 good thing for TIC American publ her i
most true Al monopollcs work shat way. bnt for
tho moor reader hungry Tor books within tho limit ~
his purse monopoly would not be by several hundred
Der coat as good As open competition. Those who
are familiar With these poor books, lsdly llIh'cu
- Uc.ai,t. Mrs. Oliphant. black. Meredith. HaEShd
Uar,ly-do not consider them poor books. ana arc
confcn' 10 iake them rather than none. tn"
wfrchcd class ~ glieh fiction g. in tie minority
II issue as compared With tho good as the American
product also Is. Tho pros poets 81 securing COCA
and sufficient monopoly law were never better than
cnccd members - Congress who have worked fer H.
one Of these said last week: Tic pa age of such
monopoly IN Is impossible utterly impossible
NAV add that the name ~ my article which
Won seem 10 o. lect-w not 81 NV fhi'trHlhs
nrrrcI no "OlVr Branch from America bat aNci
declining once wrote n the rcn"vcd request or mo
editor ~ Tho Nineteenth Century" an arN'l" ON
subject with which had been practically c"nF"fNaW
frr nearly forty year. The paper VT kuu"lri grow
into An olive Branch from America on ls o"n
grounds. and unknown TO me till ~ VA, published
greatly regret differ from personal friends with
,ri,m I am I'm accofl on every other subject bot ~
tbcv do no, take Mr. smiths hobby .rriousy' they
n u NOT iu'crnr tho hnd couf'c~y have as" a'' so
alnudauily received from them. fonrs very tcsrect
filv r. PE,E~ALL Smith
IhHuI,ipiia. Nov. II. -